Treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure

ABSTRACT

A treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure includes a base frame, and a belt frame, and a cushioning device. The base frame is separated from the belt frame. Thus, the base frame is disposed at a stationary state, thereby enhancing the stability and stiffness of the treadmill. In addition, movement of the belt frame is efficiently cushioned by the cushioning device, thereby enhancing the stability of the treadmill, and thereby reducing the noise in use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure, and more particularly to a treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure, wherein the base frame is disposed at a stationary state, and movement of the belt frame is efficiently cushioned by the cushioning device, thereby enhancing the stability of the treadmill.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] A first conventional treadmill in accordance with the prior art shown in FIG. 7 comprises a base frame 50, a board 54 mounted in the base frame 50, two rollers 51 mounted on two ends of the base frame 50, a belt 52 mounted around the two rollers 51 to encompass the board 54, and multiple springs 53 mounted on two sides of the base frame 50 to support two sides of the board 54. Thus, the springs 53 may provide a cushioning effect to the board 54.

[0005] However, the first conventional treadmill has the following disadvantages.

[0006] 1. The board 54 is suspended, and is supported by the springs 53 only, so that the structure of the treadmill is unstable.

[0007] 2. The board 54 is supported by the springs 53, thereby easily causing a great noise in use.

[0008] 3. The springs 53 are subjected to a large stress, so that the springs 53 are easily worn out during a long-term utilization, thereby shortening the lifetime of the treadmill.

[0009] A second conventional treadmill in accordance with the prior art shown in FIG. 8 comprises a main frame 60 having a foot post 61 mounted on a foot seat 62, and a spring 63 mounted between the foot post 61 and the foot seat 62.

[0010] However, the second conventional treadmill has the following disadvantages.

[0011] 1. The main frame 60 easily oscillates due to the cushioning action of the spring 63, so that the structure of the treadmill is unstable.

[0012] 2. The spring 63 is subjected to a large stress, so that the spring 63 is easily worn out during a long-term utilization, thereby shortening the lifetime of the treadmill.

[0013] 3. The main frame 60 will form a larger vibration due to the cushioning action of the spring 63, thereby decreasing the stability and stiffness of the treadmill.

[0014] A third conventional treadmill in accordance with the prior art shown in FIG. 9 comprises a main frame 70 having a foot post 71 provided with a cushioning device 72.

[0015] However, the third conventional treadmill has the following disadvantages.

[0016] 1. The main frame 70 easily oscillates due to the cushioning action of the cushioning device 72, so that the structure of the treadmill is unstable.

[0017] 2. The cushioning device 72 is subjected to a large stress, so that the cushioning device 72 is easily worn out during a long-term utilization, thereby shortening the lifetime of the treadmill.

[0018] 3. The main frame 70 will form a larger vibration due to the cushioning action of the cushioning device 72, thereby decreasing the stability and stiffness of the treadmill.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantage of the conventional treadmills.

[0020] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure, wherein the base frame is separated from the belt frame, so that the base frame is disposed at a stationary state, and movement of the belt frame is efficiently cushioned by the cushioning device, thereby enhancing the stability of the treadmill.

[0021] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure, wherein the base frame is disposed at a stationary state, thereby enhancing the stability and stiffness of the treadmill.

[0022] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure, wherein the base frame is disposed at a stationary state, and movement of the belt frame is efficiently cushioned by the cushioning device, thereby reducing the noise in use.

[0023] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure, comprising a base frame, and a belt frame, and a cushioning device, wherein:

[0024] the base frame has a front end provided with a connecting portion, and a rear end provided with a pivot portion;

[0025] the belt frame has a front end provided with a connecting portion mating with the connecting portion of the base frame, and a rear end provided with a pivot portion mating with the pivot portion of the base frame; and

[0026] the cushioning device is mounted between the connecting portion of the base frame and the connecting portion of the belt frame.

[0027] Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 2 is a perspective assembly view of the treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure as shown in FIG. 1;

[0030]FIG. 3 is a side plan cross-sectional view of the treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure as shown in FIG. 2;

[0031]FIG. 4 is a schematic operational view of the treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure as shown in FIG. 3 in use;

[0032]FIG. 5 is a side plan cross-sectional view of a treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0033]FIG. 6 is a schematic operational view of the treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure as shown in FIG. 5 in use;

[0034]FIG. 7 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a first conventional treadmill in accordance with the prior art;

[0035]FIG. 8 is a side plan cross-sectional view of a second conventional treadmill in accordance with the prior art; and

[0036]FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a third conventional treadmill in accordance with the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] Referring to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, a treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a base frame 10, and a belt frame 20.

[0038] The base frame 10 is provided with a support rack 11 which is provided with two handles 12. The belt frame 20 is provided with two parallel rollers 21 a and 21 b, a board 200 located between the two rollers 21 a and 21 b, and a belt 22 mounted around the two rollers 21 a and 21 b to encompass the board 200 which is used to support the belt 22. The base frame 10 has a front end provided with a connecting portion 14, and a rear end provided with a pivot portion 13. Preferably, the connecting portion 14 extends under the bottom of the base frame 10.

[0039] The belt frame 20 has a front end provided with a connecting portion 24 mating with the connecting portion 14 of the base frame 10, and a rear end provided with a pivot portion 23 mating with the pivot portion 13 of the base frame 10. The pivot portion 23 of the belt frame 20 is pivotally mounted on the pivot portion 13 of the base frame 10.

[0040] The treadmill in accordance with the present invention further comprises a cushioning device 30 mounted between the connecting portion 14 of the base frame 10 and the connecting portion 24 of the belt frame 20. The cushioning device 30 has a bottom portion pivotally mounted on the connecting portion 14 of the base frame 10 and a top portion pivotally mounted on the connecting portion 24 of the belt frame 20. Thus, the base frame 10 is disposed at a stationary state, and the belt frame 20 is pivotable relative to the base frame 10, so that the cushioning device 30 may produce a better and more stable cushioning effect between the base frame 10 and the belt frame 20.

[0041] The cushioning device 30 includes a lower pivot ear 33 secured on the connecting portion 14 of the base frame 10, a piston cylinder 34 pivotally mounted on the lower pivot ear 33, an upper pivot ear 31 secured on the connecting portion 24 of the belt frame 20, a piston rod 32 pivotally mounted on the upper pivot ear 31 and slidably mounted in the piston cylinder 34, and an elastic member 35 mounted between the piston rod 32 and the piston cylinder 34 and having a first end rested on the piston rod 32 and a second end rested on the piston cylinder 34. Thus, when the piston rod 32 is moved relative to the piston cylinder 34, the elastic member 35 may be compressed to produce a better and more stable cushioning effect between the piston rod 32 and the piston cylinder 34. Preferably, the elastic member 35 is a compression spring.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in assembly, the pivot portion 23 of the belt frame 20 is pivotally mounted on the pivot portion 13 of the base frame 10 by a shaft (not shown). Then, the upper pivot ear 31 of the cushioning device 30 is secured on the connecting portion 24 of the belt frame 20, and the lower pivot ear 33 of the cushioning device 30 is secured on the connecting portion 14 of the base frame 10, and the connecting portion 14 extends under the bottom of the base frame 10 and to touch the ground so that the cushioning device 30 becomes a more stable structure. Then, the piston rod 32 is pivotally mounted on the upper pivot ear 31 and the piston cylinder 34 is pivotally mounted on the lower pivot ear 33. Then, the elastic member 35 is mounted on the piston rod 32, and the piston rod 32 is slidably mounted in the piston cylinder 34, with the first end of the elastic member 35 being rested on the piston rod 32 and with the second end of the elastic member 35 being rested on the piston cylinder 34. Thus, the treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is assembled.

[0043] In operation, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, when the user is running on the belt 22 and the board 200, the force is applied on the belt frame 20. At this time, the rear end of the belt frame 20 is pivotally mounted on the rear end of the base frame 10, and the base frame 10 is supported on the ground rigidly and stably, so that the belt frame 20 is pivoted relative to the base frame 10. In addition, cushioning device 30 is mounted between the connecting portion 14 of the base frame 10 and the connecting portion 24 of the belt frame 20, so that the cushioning device 30 may produce a better and more stable cushioning effect between the base frame 10 and the belt frame 20, thereby preventing from incurring vibration and oscillation during running of the user.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is available for a motorized treadmill. A driven wheel 40 is secured on the shaft of the roller 21 a of the belt frame 20. The base frame 10 is provided with a motor 41 and a drive wheel 42. A driving belt 43 is mounted between the driven wheel 40 and the drive wheel 42. When the belt frame 20 is oscillated, the distance between the driven wheel 40 and the drive wheel 42 is slightly changed. At this situation, an idler device 44 is mounted on the driving belt 43, so that the driving belt 43 may be driven efficiently.

[0045] Accordingly, the treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention has the following advantages.

[0046] 1. The base frame 10 is separated from the belt frame 20, wherein one end of the belt frame 20 is pivotally mounted on one end of the base frame 10, and the other end of the belt frame 20 is supported on the other end of the base frame 10 by a cushioning device 30. Thus, the base frame 10 is disposed at a stationary state, and movement of the belt frame 20 is efficiently cushioned by the cushioning device 30, thereby enhancing the stability of the treadmill.

[0047] 2. The base frame 10 is disposed at a stationary state, and movement of the belt frame 20 is efficiently cushioned by the cushioning device 30, thereby reducing the force applied on the cushioning device 30, and thereby increasing the lifetime of the cushioning device 30.

[0048] 3. The base frame 10 is disposed at a stationary state, thereby enhancing the stability and stiffness of the treadmill.

[0049] 4. The base frame 10 is disposed at a stationary state, and movement of the belt frame 20 is efficiently cushioned by the cushioning device 30, thereby reducing the noise in use.

[0050] 5. The belt frame 20 has a light weight and may be detached easily, thereby facilitating maintenance of the treadmill.

[0051] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure, comprising a base frame, and a belt frame, and a cushioning device, wherein: said base frame has a front end provided with a connecting portion, and a rear end provided with a pivot portion; said belt frame has a front end provided with a connecting portion mating with the connecting portion of the base frame, and a rear end provided with a pivot portion pivotally mounted on said pivot portion of said base frame, so that said belt frame is pivotable relative to said base frame.; and a cushioning device is mounted between said connecting portion of said base frame and said connecting portion of said belt frame.
 2. The treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cushioning device has a bottom portion pivotally mounted on said connecting portion of said base frame and a top portion pivotally mounted on said connecting portion of said belt frame.
 3. The treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cushioning device includes a lower pivot ear secured on said connecting portion of said base frame, a piston cylinder pivotally mounted on said lower pivot ear, an upper pivot ear secured on said connecting portion of said belt frame, a piston rod pivotally mounted on said upper pivot ear and slidably mounted in said piston cylinder, and an elastic member mounted between said piston rod and said piston cylinder and having a first end rested on said piston rod and a second end rested on said piston cylinder.
 4. The treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure in accordance with claim 3, wherein said elastic member is a compression spring.
 5. The treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein said connecting portion of said base frame extends under the bottom of said base frame.
 6. The treadmill with a shock-absorbing and cushioning structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein a driven wheel is secured on the shaft of the roller of said belt frame. The base frame is provided with a motor and a drive wheel. A driving belt is mounted between said driven wheel and said drive wheel. An idler device is mounted on said driving belt. 